FULL MOON SONATA
Recounting the night yields
an unfruitful search :
the L.train.cello Youtube provides.
is not the one I'm searching for.
submerged :
I drown happily in the subway's souls.
Their melodies move through me :
fill me :
c o n s u m e m e .
.tAken.
One more cup of coffee - then I'll go.
.release.
I have to leave.
Get to my door : unlock : throw wide
&greet that funky beat.
Everyday at two o'clock - 2R starts to play :
a twanging guItar riff
- record -
.then.diddle.add the synth.
Now.play a little diddle.just a little melody to tide it over to the
drOp.
Beat.
Beat.
Beat.
Everyday I get a concert in my hall :
a boogiewoogie on my stairs :
a shuffle gRaPe vinE as I round from flight
to
flight.
I try not to dawdle long :
don't want to seem a creep
but I've got to swing&swivel
to this man's funky beat :
it knows how my body wants to move .
fills the spaces I forget to have .
wiggles the limbs I forget to use.
I am not seduced . only to d A n c e .
I've overstayed my welcome on his floor.
twirl ArOUnd the bend.flourish.
.descend.
.out the open door.
boots.and.cats. and boots.and.cats. and
- JOURNEY TO THE (L) TRAIN -
retrace same steps as every yesterday.
At Wyckoff, FEET turn me
left
instead of
right
.take me for a rIde.
Two faraway figures turn the distant corner and approach.
One long baggy white.and.black shape lopes along a shapely black one.
Shapely black in black sunhat :
gold wire.frame shades :
pursed mAroon lips :
black cropped tee :
high waisted mini skirt
walks tense and dominating.
- no.way.
A moment before the slinking shape completely fORms,
I knOw :
.Cello.Man.
Tall - gawky - slightly odd
Saggy white t.shirt cut to tank
Slouchy black sweats pool in a puddle
at black sandalled feet.
Patchy facial hair.
Rounded beak -
slender cavernous nostrils.
A mass of long brown hair flows behind - greasier than yesterday.
Beautiful caramel eyes -
serious and piercing beneath pinched.furrowed brows -
beacon his inner light.
.he slumps.slouches.
.arms curl
rOUnd boNy chest
holding
- close -
his absent mUse.
I watch him pass -
.gender relations.
- without a word.
Instant regret.
I smile wide a goofy grin
the entire ride to Lorimer.
It's comforting to know
we share a home off Jefferson.
Transfer from the L - now - to the G.
Dart round poles.people entering/leaving as I head towards.down the stairs.
Try to meet each
eye
eye
eye
of oncoming traffic and
smile.
Ah, humanity . . .
Small tunnel reminds of Big Brother's watchful eye.turn ascend the farther stair.
HISTORY
YOUR STORY
Pass a dreaded goddess painting roses for
the NEWSSTAND.
FATE
FAITH
Descend the stairs :
Church Avenue bound.
SANE
SAME
My heart leAps --
my ear catches
a lilting song drifting along the platform.
Pulled forward.
hips.knees.
floating on tiptoes.
approach the baseball hatted.
baggy cargo pantsed crooner.
.dammit.
don't have
any cash.
Slowly now as I get closer -
mother of pearl
rosette rings round
sound hole
strong.long fingers
bump&smack
smooth body
.linger along thin neck.
fret.to.fret
.neeYou.
slide back
to drum&slap.
.gadamn.
.you are
so beautiful.
I smile.shy.
- nod -
walk past
- don't want to loiter.be too gawkward - make it past another pillar when
his sOng -
full :
hOnest :
Open
hits a raspy.raw
.pOWerful nOte.
(pivot)
At least.I'll be an audience.
Return to stand and peer around
the chipped green pole.
I wish I had
something
to give to
you.
I fumble in my fanny pack.
extract PostIt pad and pen.
His music is too beautiful
to be
broken up
to write.
but I want to leave him something so
I fight through shimmering resistance.
.focus for a moment :
I O U
Thank you for your song.
His voice tugs my heart.lifts my gaze.
I watch his face smile.crinkle.crease -
release his blessed sound.
Your lines of effort
will one day laugh.
There's a rumble down the track.
zip!
Quick close fanny pack.embarrassed.
toss PostIt into open case.
Thank you!
.wide.warm smile-leans in.pull close.for a hug.
Blushing rosy.pink
- retreat -
.sidle toward arriving train.
Wait!
He fumbles deep in cargo pocket.
extracts his BUSINESS CARD.
I tuck card into palm and hurry through the closing doors.
bing
bong
He smiles.wide.waves as the train.slow.
leaves the station.
I read his name
- smile.gasp.nod -
.black asian.
Fanning.Feigning -
Heart,
be still!
.but actually.
-
- HOURS LATER -
home&taking out the trash.
straighten up to
meet green eyes.
of a passing man.
sidewalk nod&smile.
.holy crap.
He turns.goes up the steps
to our apartment building.
Suddenly nervous.
feet take me up the stoop
to stand outside closed door.
He turns from his mailbox.
- smiles -
pulls open the front door.
Hey.
(breathless)
Hi.
I --
You're 2R, right?
(nod of confirmation)
Oh man.
I love your music.
I dance in the hallway
whenever you play.
(flattered)
Really?
Thanks!
Hey --
(fumbles for his phone)
why don't I take
your number --
and then I can hit
you up next time
I'm performing?
That would be great!
Do people dance
at your shows?
(looking up)
Oh yea!
Absolutely --
(handing over phone)
- picture of a girl -
Oh.whoops.
That's my girlfriend.
.unnecessary.obvious.
(flicking through.new screen)
Here you go -
Just as the phone is firmly in my hand.
up the steps comes Girlfriend
AND her Mother.
.blushing.redhanded.
Both women.huff&puff.frazzled
cross through crowded threshold.
Girlfriend says a forceful
Hello
while leaning in to kiss him inches
from my face.
.irrelevant.
.uninterested.
.embarrassed.
I tuck head down.
enter my name&number
look up.return to him.
.I didn't mean
to get you
in trouble.
He gestures.
halfway through the second door.
Yea.well
thanks -
I'll let you know.
turning now to follow females' ascent.
.and.
SCENE
.discordant cacophony.
.the music is over.